The Passing of Jean Biden

Vice President Joe Biden today announced the passing of his mother, Catherine Eugenia “Jean” Finnegan Biden. She was 92.

Mrs. Biden was born on July 17, 1917, the daughter of the late Ambrose J. Finnegan and the former Geraldine C. Blewitt of Scranton, Pennsylvania. In 1941, she married Joseph Robinette Biden. They were married for 61 years before Mr. Biden passed away in 2002.

In his statement, Vice President Biden commented:

At 92, she was the center of our family and taught all of her children that family is to be treasured, loyalty is paramount and faith will guide you through the tough times. She believed in us, and because of that, we believed in ourselves. Together with my father, her husband of 61 years who passed away in 2002, we learned the dignity of hard work and that you are defined by your sense of honor. Her strength, which was immeasurable, will live on in all of us.

During his address at the Democratic National Convention in 1998, Vice President Biden mentioned his mother:

As a child I stuttered and she lovingly would look at me and tell me ‘Joey, it’s because you’re so bright you can’t get the thoughts out quickly enough.’ When I wasn’t as well-dressed as the other kids she would look at me and say ‘Joey, oh, you’re so handsome, honey, you’re so handsome.’ And when I got knocked down by guys bigger than me, and this is the God’s truth, she sent me back out and said ‘Bloody their nose so you can walk down the street the next day!’

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.
Amen.
May all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen